The First Knock...

It has taken me days to get the courage up to knock on my first door. Fearful that the dwellers would think I was there to solicit something or worse, case the house for robbery, I printed the description of this fledgling blog and stapled my business card to it. I so hoped that I had picked the right "first house" and prayed that I wouldn't be chopped into "Dana Burgers" by a serial killer who lived there.

I had this home in mind as my inspiration for the blog. This house is on a quiet street in the Grove Park area on two lots. I first noticed this house a few months ago and pass it on my travels now that I have found it. Driving by the first time it struck me as down-right adorable, loved and where happy people lived. My gut was not wrong.

Jenny opened the door to my knock with a warm and trusting smile. As I told her who I was and stammered through explaining what I was doing she kept her smile and put me at ease. I shared with Jenny what I thought of her house, painted the warmest red with white trim with a matching garden house. From the street you can see gardens growing with both flowers and vegtables. Confederate jasmine climbs the front of the carport of this 1920's home. The front porch is an outside living room with comfy furniture, a table with a rag-strip woven cover, a wire sculpture chandlelier and cute wall decor.

Jenny and her husband, Ed, have lived here 4 years and have done extensive renovations paying respect to the era of the house. I met a like-minded soul in Jenny today (who had always wanted to be a Realtor) in that she is a long time (native, I think) Lakelander who loves cottage style decor. As we chatted about the color of her home, Jenny said she modeled it after a well known home on Edgewood built the same year a her home. I couldn't believe it! (She was talking about my new listing that I also adore!) Seems as Jenny has knocked on a door in her time as well- she knocked on the Edgewood house to ask about the paint color and met the owners...even got a look-see! Small world! (You can always tell when someone has a little Realtor in their blood!)

Jenny and Ed met at Cress in the old Lakeland mall and have been married for 36 years. Three adult children who have all graduated from college are the pride and joy of Jenny and Ed and all live in Lakeland/Orlando. Having her children all graduate college is something Jenny and Ed are both thankful for and proud of (with good reason). Grandchildren are the light in Jenny's eyes as she tells me about her family.

I could have sworn Jenny knew I was coming today as her home was ready for Cottage Magazine to drive right up for a photo shoot. (She invited me inside). Well, my dears, the inside was just as good as the outside and if you love some house like I do, you would have delighted in the decor and furnishings of this dollhouse! Let's see, what kind of house-candy can I tell...hmmnn wainscoting, wood beams, hardwood flooring, a beautiful claw foot tub, arched doorways, a painted wood floor in the generous laundry room, a sun-lit kitchen and so many more details that made this impeccable cottage home sing you a little song and do you a little dance!

This couple has lived in newer homes but prefers the charm and character that historic homes offer. Ed, a skilled do-it-yourself handyman, has done a good deal of the maintenance and improvements himself and his attention to detail and quality work shows. Jenny gave me an address to a home they owned in the past in "the Reservation" area of town which I plan to visit.

I explained to Jenny that I wanted to meet the people who lived in these interesting homes and bring humanity back to my little corner of the web. We reminisced about how neighbors used to know one another. Jenny and her neighbors DO know each other well- Ladies Bunco night is a regular event, the neighbors are all known to Jenny and have lived there for a spell.

I met someone today who is dear. Jenny's cheerful willingness to pause her day and welcome a (then)stranger into her home and chat gave me something to take home with me besides a picture and a story. Now, when I pass, I will no longer think, "What a cute home!" I will think, "There's Jenny and Ed's beautiful home!"